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October 24, 2018 -- The ADA has announced a new policy that discourages direct-to-consumer dental lab services because of the potential for irreversible harm to patients.

The association notes that the traditional role of a dental laboratory is to manufacture prosthetics and devices at the direction of a dentist. However, some laboratories are now offering to sell such products directly to consumers. The concern is that bypassing the dentist eliminates a key quality control checkpoint and risks damage and irreversible harm to patients.

The new policy expands a 2017 ADA policy, entitled "Do-It-Yourself Teeth Straightening," to include the sale of partial dentures, teeth-whitening trays, snoring appliances, veneers, and mouthguards, in addition to direct-to-consumer orthodontic services, according to the ADA.